Glass Panel Conveyor Layout for Overtaking at Processing Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the processing of plate-shaped components like glass panes for insulating glass, existing technologies face inefficiencies due to the need for unprocessed components to wait until processing is complete, leading to time losses and reduced cycle times, as they cannot be conveyed further until the processing of individual components is finished.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device with multiple conveying paths, including a second path above the first, allowing components to be moved independently and processed in either direction, enabling components to be overtaken and processed without blocking the conveyor, with lifting devices to transition glass panes between paths while maintaining them in the conveying plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single conveying path is used to transport glass panes, then the device structure is simple, but unprocessed components must wait until processing is complete, leading to time losses and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is divided into multiple independent conveying paths (first conveying path for processed panes, second conveying path for unprocessed panes). This segmentation allows different groups of panes to be conveyed simultaneously without interfering with each other, eliminating waiting time and improving productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-plane conveying arrangement to a multi-level spatial configuration with conveying paths arranged at different heights. The transfer device enables vertical movement between levels, allowing unprocessed panes to bypass the processing area and continue conveyance without blocking the processing station, thus improving cycle time while organizing complexity in the vertical dimension
2Productivity
If glass panes are lifted out of the conveying plane for processing, then the conveyor track is not blocked, but the lifting process requires additional conveying levels and support means, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes vertical space by arranging conveying paths at different heights. The transfer device provides controlled vertical movement between the first (lower) and second (upper) conveying paths, enabling continuous conveyance without blocking while organizing the additional conveying levels in the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second conveying paths. It facilitates the controlled transfer of glass panes between different conveying levels, enabling continuous operation while managing the complexity of multi-level conveyance through a dedicated transfer station
3Productivity
If multiple components need to be processed simultaneously, then productivity improves, but the single conveying path cannot accommodate multiple components being processed and conveyed at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is segmented into multiple independent paths that can operate simultaneously. The first conveying path handles processed panes while the second conveying path handles unprocessed panes, allowing parallel processing operations without interference and improving productivity while maintaining clear functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple conveying paths are arranged in the vertical dimension at different heights rather than competing for the same horizontal space. This spatial arrangement enables parallel processing of multiple glass pane groups simultaneously while organizing the conveying paths in a structured vertical configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for conveying glass panels (2, 3) contains a conveying device comprising a feed conveyor (4) and a removal conveyor (6), and also a region (5) with a processing station. A lifting device (10) for glass panels is provided upstream of the processing station and a lowering device (16) for glass panels is provided downstream of the processing station, wherein a linear-conveying device (11) is provided between the lifting device (10) and the lowering device (16). It is thus possible for glass panels (3) to be moved, by raising action (arrow 13), linear movement (arrow 17) and lowering action (arrow 14), around a first component located in the region (5) in the processing station, the second component therefore passing the first component. During the passing operation, the second component always remains in the conveying plane, which is the same as the plane of the second component.